Identifying a same user of multiple communication devices based on user locations

ABSTRACT

A system for identifying a same user of multiple communication devices is configured to perform the steps of: (a) receiving first data relating to a first device operated by a user; (b) receiving second data relating to a second device operated by a user; (c) determining that the user of the first device is the user of the second device based on identifying that the first data is substantially the same as the second data; and (d) selecting and transmitting a sponsored content to the second device for display thereon, wherein the sponsored content has a relevance to the first and second data and/or a user characteristic datum associated with the user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/666,690 filed Nov. 1, 2012, and titled “Identifying a Same User ofMultiple Communication Device Based on Web Page Visits,” which claimsthe benefit of U.S. Provisional Pat. App. No. 61/558,522 filed Nov. 11,2011, and titled “Targeted Advertising Across a Plurality of Mobile andNon-Mobile Communication Facilities Accessed By the Same User,” U.S.Provisional Pat. App. No. 61/569,217 filed Dec. 9, 2011, and titled“Targeted Advertising Across Web Activities On an MCF and ApplicationsOperating Thereon,” U.S. Provisional Pat. App. No. 61/576,963 filed Dec.16, 2011, and titled “Targeted Advertising to Mobile CommunicationFacilities,” and U.S. Provisional Pat. App. No. 61/652,834 filed May 29,2012, and titled “Validity of Data for Targeting Advertising Across aPlurality of Mobile and Non-Mobile Communication Facilities Accessed Bythe Same User,” the contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

This application also incorporates herein by reference the content ofeach of the following applications: U.S. application Ser. No. 13/018,952filed on Feb. 1, 2011, which is a non-provisional of App. No. 61/300,333filed on Feb. 1, 2010 and entitled “INTEGRATED ADVERTISING SYSTEM,” andwhich is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/537,814filed on Aug. 7, 2009 and entitled “CONTEXTUAL TARGETING OF CONTENTUSING A MONETIZATION PLATFORM,” which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/486,502 filed on Jun. 17, 2009 and entitled“USING MOBILE COMMUNICATION FACILITY DEVICE DATA WITHIN A MONETIZATIONPLATFORM,” which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/485,787 filed on Jun. 16, 2009 and entitled “MANAGEMENT OF MULTIPLEADVERTISING INVENTORIES USING A MONETIZATION PLATFORM,” which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/400,199 filed on Mar. 9,2009 and entitled “USING MOBILE APPLICATION DATA WITHIN A MONETIZATIONPLATFORM,” which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/400,185 filed on Mar. 9, 2009 and entitled “REVENUE MODELS ASSOCIATEDWITH SYNDICATION OF A BEHAVIORAL PROFILE USING A MONETIZATION PLATFORM,”which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/400,166 filed onMar. 9, 2009 and entitled “SYNDICATION OF A BEHAVIORAL PROFILE USING AMONETIZATION PLATFORM,” which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.No. 12/400,153 filed on Mar. 9, 2009 and entitled “SYNDICATION OF ABEHAVIORAL PROFILE ASSOCIATED WITH AN AVAILABILITY CONDITION USING AMONETIZATION PLATFORM,” which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.No. 12/400,138 filed on Mar. 9, 2009 and entitled “AGGREGATION ANDENRICHMENT OF BEHAVIORAL PROFILE DATA USING A MONETIZATION PLATFORM,”which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/400,096 filed onMar. 9, 2009 and entitled “AGGREGATION OF BEHAVIORAL PROFILE DATA USINGA MONETIZATION PLATFORM,” which is a non-provisional of App. No.61/052,024 filed on May 9, 2008 and entitled “MONETIZATION PLATFORM” andApp. No. 61/037,617 filed on Mar. 18, 2008 and entitled “PRESENTINGCONTENT TO A MOBILE COMMUNICATION FACILITY BASED ON CONTEXTUAL ANDBEHAVIORIAL DATA RELATING TO A PORTION OF A MOBILE CONTENT,” and whichis a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/929,328 filedon Oct. 30, 2007 and entitled “CATEGORIZATION OF A MOBILE USER PROFILEBASED ON BROWSE BEHAVIOR,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/929,308 filed on Oct. 30, 2007 and entitled“MOBILE DYNAMIC ADVERTISEMENT CREATION AND PLACEMENT,” which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/929,297 filed onOct. 30, 2007 and entitled “MOBILE COMMUNICATION FACILITY USAGE ANDSOCIAL NETWORK CREATION”, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/929,272 filed on Oct. 30, 2007 and entitled“INTEGRATING SUBSCRIPTION CONTENT INTO MOBILE SEARCH RESULTS,” which isa continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/929,253 filed onOct. 30, 2007 and entitled “COMBINING MOBILE AND TRANSCODED CONTENT IN AMOBILE SEARCH RESULT,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/929,171 filed on Oct. 30, 2007 and entitled“ASSOCIATING MOBILE AND NONMOBILE WEB CONTENT,” which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/929,148 filed onOct. 30, 2007 and entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS OF MOBILE QUERYCLASSIFICATION,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 11/929,129 filed on Oct. 30, 2007 and entitled “MOBILE USERPROFILE CREATION BASED ON USER BROWSE BEHAVIORS,” which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/929,105 filed onOct. 30, 2007 and entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS OF MOBILE DYNAMICCONTENT PRESENTATION,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/929,096 filed on Oct. 30, 2007 and entitled“METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MOBILE COUPON TRACKING,” which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/929,081 filed onOct. 30, 2007 and entitled “REALTIME SURVEYING WITHIN MOBILE SPONSOREDCONTENT,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.11/929,059 filed on Oct. 30, 2007 and entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FORMOBILE COUPON PLACEMENT,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/929,039 filed on Oct. 30, 2007 and entitled“USING A MOBILE COMMUNICATION FACILITY FOR OFFLINE AD SEARCHING,” whichis a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/929,016 filedon Oct. 30, 2007 and entitled “LOCATION BASED MOBILE SHOPPING AFFINITYPROGRAM,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.11/928,990 filed on Oct. 30, 2007 and entitled “INTERACTIVE MOBILEADVERTISEMENT BANNERS,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/928,960 filed on Oct. 30, 2007 and entitled“IDLE SCREEN ADVERTISING,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/928,937 filed on Oct. 30, 2007 and entitled“EXCLUSIVITY BIDDING FOR MOBILE SPONSORED CONTENT,” which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/928,909 filed onOct. 30, 2007 and entitled “EMBEDDING A NONSPONSORED MOBILE CONTENTWITHIN A SPONSORED MOBILE CONTENT,” which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 11/928,877 filed on Oct. 30, 2007 and entitled“USING WIRELESS CARRIER DATA TO INFLUENCE MOBILE SEARCH RESULTS,” whichis a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/928,847 filedon Oct. 30, 2007 and entitled “SIMILARITY BASED LOCATION MAPPING OFMOBILE COMMUNICATION FACILITY USERS,” which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 11/928,819 filed on Oct. 30, 2007 and entitled“TARGETING MOBILE SPONSORED CONTENT WITHIN A SOCIAL NETWORK,” which is anon-provisional of U.S. App. No. 60/946,132 filed on Jun. 25, 2007 andentitled “BUSINESS STREAM: EXPLORING NEW ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES ANDAD FORMATS,” and U.S. App. No. 60/968,188 filed on Aug. 27, 2007 andentitled “MOBILE CONTENT SEARCH” and a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/553,746 filed on Oct. 27, 2006 and entitled“COMBINED ALGORITHMIC AND EDITORIAL-REVIEWED MOBILE CONTENT SEARCHRESULTS,” which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/553,713 filed on Oct. 27, 2006 and entitled “ON-OFF HANDSET SEARCHBOX,” which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/553,659filed on Oct. 27, 2006 and entitled “CLIENT LIBRARIES FOR MOBILECONTENT,” which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/553,569 filed on Oct. 27, 2006 and entitled “ACTION FUNCTIONALITY FORMOBILE CONTENT SEARCH RESULTS,” which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/553,626 filed on Oct. 27, 2006 and entitled“MOBILE WEBSITE ANALYZER,” which is a continuation of U.S. applicationSer. No. 11/553,598 filed on Oct. 27, 2006 and entitled “MOBILE PAY PERCALL,” which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/553,587filed on Oct. 27, 2006 and entitled “MOBILE CONTENT CROSS-INVENTORYYIELD OPTIMIZATION,” which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.No. 11/553,581 filed on Oct. 27, 2006 and entitled “MOBILE PAYMENTFACILITATION,” which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/553,578 filed on Oct. 27, 2006 and entitled “BEHAVIORAL-BASED MOBILECONTENT PLACEMENT ON A MOBILE COMMUNICATION FACILITY,” which is acontinuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/553,567 filedon Oct. 27, 2006 and entitled “CONTEXTUAL MOBILE CONTENT PLACEMENT ON AMOBILE COMMUNICATION FACILITY”, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/422,797 filed on Jun. 7, 2006 and entitled“PREDICTIVE TEXT COMPLETION FOR A MOBILE COMMUNICATION FACILITY”, whichis a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/383,236 filedon May 15, 2006 and entitled “LOCATION BASED PRESENTATION OF MOBILECONTENT”, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.11/382,696 filed on May 10, 2006 and entitled “MOBILE SEARCH SERVICESRELATED TO DIRECT IDENTIFIERS”, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/382,262 filed on May 8, 2006 and entitled“INCREASING MOBILE INTERACTIVITY”, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/382,260 filed on May 8, 2006 and entitled“AUTHORIZED MOBILE CONTENT SEARCH RESULTS”, which is a continuation ofU.S. application Ser. No. 11/382,257 filed on May 8, 2006 and entitled“MOBILE SEARCH SUGGESTIONS”, which is a continuation of U.S. applicationSer. No. 11/382,249 filed on May 8, 2006 and entitled “MOBILEPAY-PER-CALL CAMPAIGN CREATION”, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/382,246 filed on May 8, 2006 and entitled“CREATION OF A MOBILE SEARCH SUGGESTION DICTIONARY”, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/382,243 filed on May 8,2006 and entitled “MOBILE CONTENT SPIDERING AND COMPATIBILITYDETERMINATION”, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/382,237 filed on May 8, 2006 and entitled “IMPLICIT SEARCHING FORMOBILE CONTENT,” which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/382,226 filed on May 8, 2006 and entitled “MOBILE SEARCH SUBSTRINGQUERY COMPLETION”, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 11/414,740 filed on Apr. 27, 2006 and entitled “EXPECTED VALUEAND PRIORITIZATION OF MOBILE CONTENT,” which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/414,168 filed on Apr. 27, 2006 and entitled“DYNAMIC BIDDING AND EXPECTED VALUE,” which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/413,273 filed on Apr. 27, 2006 and entitled“CALCULATION AND PRESENTATION OF MOBILE CONTENT EXPECTED VALUE,” whichis a non-provisional of U.S. App. No. 60/785,242 filed on Mar. 22, 2006and entitled “AUTOMATED SYNDICATION OF MOBILE CONTENT” and which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/387,147 filed onMar. 21, 2006 and entitled “INTERACTION ANALYSIS AND PRIORITIZATION OFMOBILE CONTENT,” which is continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser.No. 11/355,915 filed on Feb. 16, 2006 and entitled “PRESENTATION OFSPONSORED CONTENT BASED ON MOBILE TRANSACTION EVENT,” which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/347,842 filed on Feb. 3,2006 and entitled “MULTIMODAL SEARCH QUERY,” which is a continuation ofU.S. application Ser. No. 11/347,825 filed on Feb. 3, 2006 and entitled“SEARCH QUERY ADDRESS REDIRECTION ON A MOBILE COMMUNICATION FACILITY,”which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/347,826 filed onFeb. 3, 2006 and entitled “PREVENTING MOBILE COMMUNICATION FACILITYCLICK FRAUD,” which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/337,112 filed on Jan. 19, 2006 and entitled “USER TRANSACTION HISTORYINFLUENCED SEARCH RESULTS,” which is a continuation of U.S. applicationSer. No. 11/337,180 filed on Jan. 19, 2006 and entitled “USERCHARACTERISTIC INFLUENCED SEARCH RESULTS,” which is a continuation ofU.S. application Ser. No. 11/336,432 filed on Jan. 19, 2006 and entitled“USER HISTORY INFLUENCED SEARCH RESULTS,” which is a continuation ofU.S. application Ser. No. 11/337,234 filed on Jan. 19, 2006 and entitled“MOBILE COMMUNICATION FACILITY CHARACTERISTIC INFLUENCED SEARCHRESULTS,” which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/337,233 filed on Jan. 19, 2006 and entitled “LOCATION INFLUENCEDSEARCH RESULTS,” which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/335,904 filed on Jan. 19, 2006 and entitled “PRESENTING SPONSOREDCONTENT ON A MOBILE COMMUNICATION FACILITY,” which is a continuation ofU.S. application Ser. No. 11/335,900 filed on Jan. 18, 2006 and entitled“MOBILE ADVERTISEMENT SYNDICATION,” which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 11/281,902 filed on Nov. 16, 2005 and entitled“MANAGING SPONSORED CONTENT BASED ON USER CHARACTERISTICS,” which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/282,120 filed on Nov. 16,2005 and entitled “MANAGING SPONSORED CONTENT BASED ON USAGE HISTORY”,which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/274,884 filed onNov. 14, 2005 and entitled “MANAGING SPONSORED CONTENT BASED ONTRANSACTION HISTORY”, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.No. 11/274,905 filed on Nov. 14, 2005 and entitled “MANAGING SPONSOREDCONTENT BASED ON GEOGRAPHIC REGION”, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/274,933 filed on Nov. 14, 2005 and entitled“PRESENTATION OF SPONSORED CONTENT ON MOBILE COMMUNICATION FACILITIES”,which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/271,164 filed onNov. 11, 2005 and entitled “MANAGING SPONSORED CONTENT BASED ON DEVICECHARACTERISTICS”, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/268,671 filed on Nov. 5, 2005 and entitled “MANAGING PAYMENT FORSPONSORED CONTENT PRESENTED TO MOBILE COMMUNICATION FACILITIES”, andwhich is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/267,940 filed onNov. 5, 2005 and entitled “MANAGING SPONSORED CONTENT FOR DELIVERY TOMOBILE COMMUNICATION FACILITIES,” which is a non-provisional of U.S.App. No. 60/731,991 filed on Nov. 1, 2005 and entitled “MOBILE SEARCH”,U.S. App. No. 60/720,193 filed on Sep. 23, 2005 and entitled “MANAGINGWEB INTERACTIONS ON A MOBILE COMMUNICATION FACILITY”, and U.S. App. No.60/717,151filed on Sep. 14, 2005 and entitled “SEARCH CAPABILITIES FORMOBILE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This disclosure relates to the field of mobile communications and moreparticularly to improved methods and systems directed to targetingadvertising to mobile and non-mobile communication facilities accessedby the same user.

2. Description of Related Art

Web-based search engines, readily available information, andentertainment mediums, have proven to be one of the most significantuses of computer networks such as the Internet. As online use increases,users seek more and more ways to access the Internet. Users haveprogressed from desktop and laptop computers to cellular phones andsmartphones for work and personal use in an online context. Now, usersare accessing the Internet not only from a single device, but from theirtelevisions and gaming devices, and most recently, from tablet devices.Internet-based advertising techniques are currently unable to optimallytarget and deliver content, such as advertisements, for a mobilecommunication facility (e.g., smartphone, tablet device, etc.) becausethe prior art techniques are specifically designed for the Internet in anon-mobile device context. These prior art techniques fail to takeadvantage of unique data assets derived from telecommunications andfixed mobile convergence networks. As it becomes commonplace for a userto interchangeably access the Internet via his smartphone, tablet, PC,and television, there is no efficient way to optimally target that sameuser across all the devices he may use. Therefore, a need exists for asystem associated with telecommunications networks and fixed mobileconvergence applications that is enabled to select and targetadvertising content readable by a plurality of mobile and non-mobilecommunication facilities and that is available from across a number ofadvertising inventories.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, what is needed, and hasnot heretofore been developed, is a system associated withtelecommunications networks and fixed mobile convergence applicationsthat is enabled to select and target advertising content readable by aplurality of mobile and non-mobile communication facilities and that isavailable from across a number of advertising inventories.

In a first embodiment, a system for identifying a same user of multiplecommunication devices includes one or more computers having computerreadable mediums having stored thereon instructions which, when executedby one or more processors of the one or more computers, causes thesystem to perform the steps of: (a) receiving data corresponding to afirst plurality of web page visits via a first device operated by auser, wherein the first device is a mobile or non-mobile communicationsdevice; (b) receiving data corresponding to a second plurality of webpage visits via a second device operated by a user, wherein the seconddevice is a mobile or non-mobile communications device; (c) determiningthat the user of the first device is the user of the second device basedon identifying that the first plurality of web page visits issubstantially the same as the second plurality of web page visits; and(d) selecting and transmitting a sponsored content to the second devicefor display thereon, wherein the sponsored content has a relevance tothe first and second plurality of web page visits. The informationrelating to the plurality of web page visits includes one or more of:(a) a URL of each respective web page; (b) a time of visiting eachrespective web page; (c) a duration of visiting each respective webpage; (d) an order in with each web page is visited; and (e) ageographic location of the first and second device at the time ofvisiting each respective web page. The system may be further configuredto perform the steps of: (a) determining that a pre-existing universalprofile has not been created to identify that the first and seconddevices are used by the same user; and (b) creating a universal profilefor the user containing data corresponding to the first and seconddevices. The mobile communications device may be a cellular phone, atablet, a portable media player, or a laptop or notebook computer. Thenon-mobile communications device may be a television, a cable box, or apersonal computer.

In a second embodiment, a system for identifying a same user of multiplecommunication devices includes one or more computers having computerreadable mediums having stored thereon instructions which, when executedby one or more processors of the one or more computers, causes thesystem to perform the steps of: (a) receiving first data correspondingto (i) a location of a first communication device operated by a user and(ii) a time of day at which the first communication device is situatedat the location; (b) receiving second data corresponding to (i) alocation of a second communication device operated by a user and (ii) atime of day at which the second communication device is situated at thelocation; (c) determining that the user of the first communicationdevice is the user of the second communication device based on receivingthe first and second data a predetermined number of times; (d)determining that a pre-existing universal profile has not been createdto identify that the first and second communication devices are used bythe same user; and (e) creating a universal profile for the usercontaining data corresponding to the first and second communicationdevices.

In a third embodiment, a system for identifying a same user of multiplecommunication devices includes one or more computers having computerreadable mediums having stored thereon instructions which, when executedby one or more processors of the one or more computers, causes thesystem to perform the steps of: (a) receiving data corresponding to afirst route associated with a first communication device operated by auser, wherein the first route is derived from a plurality of geographiccoordinates corresponding to respective locations at which the firstcommunication device was situated; (b) receiving data corresponding to asecond route associated with a second communication device operated by auser, wherein the second route is derived from a plurality of geographiccoordinates corresponding to respective locations at which the secondcommunication device was situated; (c) determining that the user of thefirst communication device is the user of the second communicationdevice based on identifying that the first route is the substantiallythe same as the second route; (d) determining that a pre-existinguniversal profile has not been created to identify that the first andsecond communication devices are used by the same user; and (e) creatinga universal profile for the user containing data corresponding to thefirst and second communication devices.

In a fourth embodiment, a system for identifying a same user of multiplecommunication devices includes one or more computers having computerreadable mediums having stored thereon instructions which, when executedby one or more processors of the one or more computers, causes thesystem to perform the steps of: (a) receiving data corresponding to afirst application use-pattern from a first communication device operatedby a user; (b) receiving data corresponding to a second applicationuse-pattern from a second communication device operated by a user; (c)determining that the user of the first communication device is the userof the second communication device based on identifying that the firstapplication use-pattern is the same as the second applicationuse-pattern; (d) determining that a pre-existing universal profile hasnot been created to identify that the first and second communicationdevices are used by the same user; and (e) creating a universal profilefor the user containing data corresponding to the first and secondcommunication devices. The first or second application use-pattern maycorrespond to at least one of: (a) a set of applications used on thefirst and second communication devices; (b) an order of applicationsused on the first and second communication devices; (c) a time of day ofuse of one or more applications on the first and second communicationdevices; (d) a duration of application use on the first and secondcommunication devices; and (e) a location of use of one or moreapplications on the first and second communication devices.

In a fifth embodiment, a system for identifying a same user of multiplecommunication devices includes one or more computers having computerreadable mediums having stored thereon instructions which, when executedby one or more processors of the one or more computers, causes thesystem to perform the steps of: (a) identifying a first profileassociated with a user of a first communication device; (b) identifyinga second profile associated with a user of a second communicationdevice; (c) determining that the user of the first communication deviceis the same as the user of the second communication device based onidentifying at least one same datum contained in the first profile andthe second profile; (d) determining that a pre-existing universalprofile has not been created for the first or second profile; and (e)associating the first and second profiles with a universal profilecorresponding to the user. The first or second user profile may be isderived from a login by the user, wherein the login may be anapplication login or website login.

In a sixth embodiment, a system for identifying a same user of multiplecommunication devices includes one or more computers having computerreadable mediums having stored thereon instructions which, when executedby one or more processors of the one or more computers, causes thesystem to perform the steps of: (a) receiving data corresponding to afirst user-managed asset from a first communication device operated by auser; (b) receiving data corresponding to a second user-managed assetfrom a second communication device operated by a user; (c) determiningthat the user of the first communication device is the user of thesecond communication device based on identifying that the firstuser-managed asset is the same as the second user-managed asset; (d)determining that a pre-existing universal profile has not been createdto identify that the first and second communication devices are used bythe same user; and (e) creating a universal profile for the usercontaining data corresponding to the first and second communicationdevices. The user-managed assets may be one of (a) stored phone numbersor contacts on the first and second communication devices; (b) types ofdownloaded applications on the first and second communication devices;and (c) placement of downloaded applications within a graphical userinterface of the first and second communication devices.

The universal profile may include at least one of: (a) a payment andbilling history associated with the user; (b) a duration of onlineinteractions by the user associated with his respective communicationdevices; (c) a number of online interactions by the user via hisrespective communication devices; (d) a usage pattern of the respectivecommunication devices dependent on location or time of day use thereof;(e) a type of content accessed by the user via his respectivecommunication devices; (f) previous search queries entered by the uservia his respective communication devices; (g) shopping habits associatedwith the user; (h) videos, music, or audio listened to or downloaded bythe user; (i) previous geographies associated with the user; and (j) webpages visited or applications used by the user via his respectivecommunication devices. The shopping habits may be at least one of: (a)products viewed or purchased on one of the first and secondcommunication devices; (b) purchase amounts of the products purchased onone of the first and second communication devices; (c) purchase dates ofthe products purchased on one of the first and second communicationdevices; and (d) elapsed time between a product viewing and a productpurchase on one of the first and second communication devices.

The system may be further configured to perform the steps of: (a)selecting a sponsored content based on a relevancy thereof with theuniversal profile; and (b) transmitting the sponsored content to thesecond communication device for display thereon. Selection of thesponsored content is based at least on: (a) frequency capping; (b)cross-platform conversion tracking; (c) retargeted advertisements; (d)cross-platform retargeted advertisements; or (e) brand-impact data. Therelevancy of sponsored content may further be based on a usercharacteristic datum associated with the user, including, but notlimited to: (a) age, age-range, or birthdate; (b) gender; (c) race; (d)religion; (e) marital status; (f) area code of the phone number assignedto one of the first and second mobile or non-mobile communicationdevices; (g) zip code; (h) home address; (i) work address; (j) billingaddress; (k) type of credit card used to pay a carrier providing serviceto the mobile or non-mobile communication devices; (l) birthplace; (m)employer; (n) employment position; (o) income bracket of the user; (p)model of one of the first and second mobile or non-mobile communicationdevices; and (q) operating system of one of the first and second mobileor non-mobile communication devices.

In embodiments, the communication device may be mobile or non-mobile, aphone, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smartphone, a tablet PC, alaptop computer, a desktop (personal) computer, a television, cable box,a PDA, a portable media (music and/or video) player, or a gamingconsole. However, the list should not be construed as limiting theinvention in any manner.

These and other features and characteristics of the present invention,as well as the methods of operation and functions of the relatedelements of structures and the combination of parts and economies ofmanufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description and the appended claims with reference to theaccompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification,wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in thevarious figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a wireless platform of a firstembodiment in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of the first embodiment ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a wireless platform of a secondembodiment in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of the second embodiment ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a wireless platform of a thirdembodiment in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of the third embodiment ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a wireless platform of a fourthembodiment in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of the fourth embodiment ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a wireless platform of a fifthembodiment in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of the fifth embodiment ofFIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

By definition, the blurring of the lines between traditional broadcasttelevision and online multimedia content due to consumers owning morethan one device with a screen is known as cross-screen capability. Thedemand for converged cross-screen services and high quality resultantexperiences is growing. Consumers want a flexible viewing experience inwhich personalized content, such as live sports, recorded televisionprograms, on-demand movies, and social media experiences, goes whereverthey go and can be shifted from device to device.

As demand for cross-screen service increases, telecommunications evolveinto content delivery businesses, and carriers will have newopportunities to leverage their service delivery platforms andcollaborate with content providers to develop converged multi-screenofferings. As carriers offer free and premium content over more and moreefficient multi-screen options, there is greater opportunity foradvertisers to reach their ideal audiences. Furthermore, there areincreased opportunities to reach the preferred audiences more than once,thereby offering different content according to the device being used,and ultimately increasing the advertisers' conversion rates. Asconsumers increasingly use their mobile phones, they still continue touse PCs and TVs. These devices are growing in size and diminishing inheft. For example, in 2010, mobile video, recorded television programs,and PC Internet use grew by 51.2%, 18.1%, and 17.3%, respectively, overuse in 2009. Unifying communications brings together presence, instantmessaging, voice, video, voice messaging, desktop sharing, andconferencing. This consistency among devices will help users communicateand collaborate using their method and device of choice, whilepresenting new opportunities for advertisers to reach them.

Typically, a given user may access his smartphone, tablet, PC, andtelevision a number of times during the course of a day. His use ofthese devices may reflect the time of day or his location. For example,a user may wake up in the morning and read news stories on hissmartphone at home and check the weather via his television beforeleaving for work. While at the office, he likely works from his PC. Atlunch or while commuting, he may use his tablet. At home, he likelyturns on his television for live or computer programs, while checkingsports scores from his smartphone.

Advertisers want to reach the user described in the above example. Tooptimally reach him, they need to recognize him not just when heaccesses a webpage or application from his smartphone, but from all ofhis mobile and non-mobile communication devices. A recognition system isprovided by an advertising network to identify the user to know whichadvertisements he has already received and responded to withoutsacrificing the user's privacy.

FIG. 1 depicts a wireless for providing advertisements to multiplecommunication devices accessed by a user. The wireless includes a firstdevice 101, a second device 102, a server 104, and a sponsor database108. Although the first device 101 and the second device 102 communicatewith server 104 and sponsor database 108 through the Internet in thisparticular embodiment, other methods of communication are alsodesirable. Additionally, the server 104 and sponsor database 108 may becentrally located or geographically dispersed, locally and/or remotelyinterconnected, and may be integrated into a combined system.

In embodiments, the first device 101 and second device 102 may be mobileor non-mobile devices, such as mobile phones, cellular phones,smartphones, GSM phones, tablet PCs, laptop computers, computers,televisions, PDAs, personal media players, and gaming consoles. However,the list should not be construed as limiting the invention in anymanner, as other mobile or non-mobile devices are contemplated and wouldwork equally well in the context of the invention.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, server 104 communicates with firstdevice 101 to receive information relating to the user's activity onfirst device 101. A user's activity may be behavioral pattern, viewinghabits, usage information, duration on each application, geographiclocation information, proximity to other locations, etc. The useractivity information is communicated through communication signal 103.User activity information may be continually, or periodically, updatedfor the user by first device 101. Further, user activity information maybe transmitted based on a request from server 104, a periodictransmission by first device 101, or a triggering event on the part offirst device 101. Upon receiving the user's activity information, server104 assigns a unique identifier, which could be alphabetical, numerical,alphanumerical, or symbols to first device 101 and stores the assignedunique identifier, user information and activity information into table105. In embodiments, table 105 may store additional information,including device information, operator information, carrier information,etc. Server 104 further identifies the second device 102 accessed by theuser though a communication signal 106. Again, server 14 may identifysecond device 102 through a request from server 104, a periodictransmission by the second device 102, or a triggering event on the partof first device 102. Once server 104 makes sure first device 101 andsecond device 102 are both used by the same user, sever 104 informssponsor database 108 through communication signal 107 and asks sponsordatabase 108 to transmit an advertisement to second device 102 throughcommunication signal 109. Additionally, server 104 may transmit table105 through a request from sponsor database 108, periodic transmissionby server 104 or a triggering event based on the activity information.The transmission of the advertisement may occur through channels otherthan the Internet.

As an example, suppose a user has two devices; first device 101 andsecond device 102, in which first device 101 is an iPhone and seconddevice 102 is an iPad. For most of the day, user uses his first device101 or iPhone to check basketball scores on ESPN, stock prices on YahooFinance and look for the nearest restaurant on Yelp. All of the user'sactivities with respect to his iPhone may be recorded and received byserver 104 through an Internet connection. It is to be understood thatgateways to the Internet may be provided by the respective serviceproviders providing service to each of the devices. As server 104collects the information on the user's iPhone or first device 101, itmay store the information in table 105. The information stored in table105 could be the way the user checked basketball scores on ESPN, theparticular stocks the user monitored on Yahoo Finance and the searchqueries the user entered on Yelp. At the same time, server 104identifies user's second device 102 or the iPad. The method ofidentification could be done through linking identifiers. For example,each device has its own serial number assigned either by themanufacturer or the carrier and therefore, server 104 can collect therespective identifiers and verify the respective owners. The server canalso collect identifiers assigned by various third-party publishers andeffectively identify the users. Once the owners/operators are identifiedas the same owner/operator, server 104 may further record such findingin table 105. In a further embodiment, server 104 can request the addatabase to transmit an advertisement to second device 102 through thead database 108 based on the user's usage activity on first device 101.In this example, the ad database will push advertisements potentiallypertaining to NBA League Pass, investment strategies from financialservices, or restaurant coupons from the restaurants the user searched.In other embodiments, server 104 can wait for a request from ad database108 to push for an advertisement or server 104 can relay table 105 to addatabase 108 periodically for ad database 108 to determine when totransmit an advertisement.

In another embodiment of FIG. 1, second device 102 can be a television.Again, as information is successfully collected from first device 101,server 104 or ad database 108 can initiate a push of advertisements tothe user via the television when the television is identified as theuser's device. Traditionally, televisions did not have the capability toconnect to the Internet and therefore, advertisements can only be usedto target viewers on a channel level rather than a user level. Adagencies would only target advertisements to viewers based on statisticsregarding the viewers of a particular channel.

In another embodiment of FIG. 1, activity information can be the IPaddresses of the user's devices. By recording and associating the IPaddresses to the devices, a server can at least effectively identify thehousehold by where the devices are located. Through analyzing the datatransmitted out from the household, the composition of the household canbe determined and thus a better idea of what advertisements to push canbe realized. In another embodiment, ad server can add the location ofthe household to better serve its purpose. For example, a collegestudent in a college town viewing news regarding college sports wouldmost likely be interested in sports-related products.

In another embodiment of FIG. 1, activity information can be locationsof the user's devices. By tracking the proximity between a user'sdevices over a predetermined period of time, a server can safely andappropriately conclude that the devices are owned by the same user. Aspeople today often own and carry more than one communication device, theproximity between the more than one communication device is very short,possibly within a couple feet. Furthermore, other criteria like, but notlimited to, velocity and speed, of the devices can be taken into accountfor evaluation. By doing so, a newly purchased device can be linkedtogether immediately to provide a better target for advertisements.

In other embodiments, there can be more than one second device 102 theuser owns, and if user does have more than one second device 102, moreinformation about the user can be gathered and more advertisements canbe pushed to the user.

FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart illustrating the steps of pushing a targetedadvertisement to a user device. The process starts with step 201 byreceiving information relating to an activity performed by the user viaa first communication device associated with the user. Step 202 assignsa unique identifier to the user and associating a profile with the userbased on the activity. Step 203 identifies the user upon use of a secondcommunication device by the user. Lastly, Step 204 transmits a sponsoredcontent to the second device for display thereon, wherein the sponsoredcontent has a relevance to the profile of the user or activity performedby the user of the first communication device.

An advertising network aggregates data from webpages and applicationsthat are inside or outside its own network. This creates multiplevantage points on the users the advertising network encounters. If alog-in is available, the advertising network will seek to gain access tomatch keys and make additional links between PC-online (or othernon-mobile medium) and mobile. The data the advertising network amasseswill be made available to advertisers under the advertising network'sbrand.

A single user may have multiple profiles, across multiple categories ofprofiles, based at least in part on multiple web browser activities.When the user accesses the web from multiple devices, collapsing allprofiles and activities into a single profile simplifies the uniqueidentifying process.

FIG. 3 depicts a second embodiment of linking two different devicesowned by the same owner. Similar to FIG. 1, FIG. 3 includes first device101, second device 102, server 104, table 105 and sponsor database 108.FIG. 3 further includes a 1^(st) user profile 301 associated with firstdevice 101 and a 2^(nd) user profile 302 associated with second device102. Additionally, the server 104 and sponsor database 108 may becentrally located or geographically dispersed, locally and/or remotelyinterconnected, and may be integrated into a combined system.

In this embodiment, instead of receiving activity information onrespective devices by server 104, server 104 receives 1^(st) userprofile 301 and 2^(nd) user profile 302. Examples of the profilesinclude, but not limited to, mobile login information, application logininformation. Again, server 104 may receive 1^(st) user profile 301 and2^(nd) user profile 302 based on a request from server 104, a periodictransmission by first device 101 and second device 102, or a triggeringevent on the part of first device 101 and second device 102. As server104 receives 1^(st) user profile 301 and 2^(nd) user profile 302 throughcommunication signals 103 and 106, server 104 stores the two profilesinto table 105. Server 104 stores and further links 1^(st) user profile301 and 2^(nd) user profile 302 together under a universal profile toconveniently identify the user in the future. Server 104 then transmitstable 105 to sponsor database 108 through communication signal 107 forsponsor database 108 to push advertisements to second device 102 orfirst device 101. The determination to push advertisements may be basedon a relevancy score between the universal profile and advertisements,such that the advertisements are sent only when the relevancy score isabove a predetermined value or threshold. Additionally, server 104 maytransmit table 105 through a request from sponsor database 108, periodictransmission by server 104, a triggering event based on examining theuniversal profile or a triggering event based on linking 1^(st) userprofile 301 and 2^(nd) user profile 302.

An example of FIG. 3 is when a user uses the Facebook application on hisiPhone or first device 101 and uses Yelp application on his iPad orsecond device 102 with a different login information. The logininformation can be differed through the use of usernames, for instance.After server 104 receives both login information or profiles and linkingthem, server 104 will communicate with sponsor database 108 todetermine, based on a relevancy score, whether it is appropriate to sendadvertisements to one or both of the two devices owned by the user.

FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart illustrating the steps of creating auniversal profile and further pushing a targeted advertisement to a userdevice. The process starts with step 401 by identifying a first profileassociated with a user of a first communication device. Step 402identifies a second profile associated with the user of a secondcommunication device. Step 403 determines whether a pre-existinguniversal profile already exists or not. When the answer to Step 403 isN or No, then the process moves to Step 404. Step 404 then proceeds tocreate a universal profile and links the all profiles together in Step405. When the answer to Step 403 is a Y or Yes, then the process movesto Step 405 and links the newly identified profiles together. Once theall profiles are linked together, Step 406 will determine whetheradvertisements should be pushed or not. If the determination based onthe relevancy score is below a certain threshold, then it will loop backand wait for another pairing of advertisements and profile. If thedetermination based on the relevancy score is above a certain threshold,then the process moves to Step 407 and pushes the advertisements to oneor both of the devices.

FIG. 5 depicts a third embodiment of linking two different devices ownedby the same owner. Similar to FIG. 3, FIG. 5 includes first device 101,second device 102 and server 104. FIG. 5 further includes a 1^(st) usermanaged assets 501 associated with first device 101 and a 2^(nd) usermanaged assets 502 associated with second device 102. The communicationsbetween server 104, first device 101 and second device 102 are viaInternet, however, the use of the Internet is merely exemplary and shallnot be construed as limiting the invention in any manner. In thisembodiment, instead of receiving user profiles on respective devices byserver 104, server 104 receives 1^(st) user managed assets 501 and2^(nd) user managed assets 502. Examples of the user managed assetsinclude, but not limited to, phone numbers stored, placement of theapplications, and type of applications downloaded. Again, server 104 mayreceive 1^(st) user managed assets 501 and 2^(nd) user managed assets502 based on a request from server 104, a periodic transmission by firstdevice 101 and second device 102, or a triggering event on the part offirst device 101 and second device 102. Server 104 then makes adetermination of whether the received user managed assets indicate asame user of first device 101 and second device 102. When a same userindeed owns (or operates) both first device 101 and second device 102,server 104 then determines whether there is a universal profile for theuser and creates or stores a universal profile for the user.

An example of FIG. 5 is that a user may keep the same contact list inhis iPhone and his secondary phone or that the user may have the sameapplications on his iPhone and his secondary phone. The user may havedownloaded NBA JAM and ESPN ScoreCenter and placed them on the top leftcorner on the first page of his iPhone and iPad for easy access. Thesame download and same placement may effectively allow servers toidentify people on an individual level. However, the phone numbers orapplications need not be identical on both devices, but they need tohave a high correlation in order for server 104 to determine the twodevices are owned by the same user.

FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart illustrating the steps of linking multipledevices together based on highly similar user managed assets from themultiple devices. The process starts with step 601 by receiving from afirst communication device data corresponding to a first plurality ofuser managed assets existing on a first communication device. Step 602receives from a second communication device data corresponding to asecond plurality of user managed assets existing on a secondcommunication device. Step 603 compares the first plurality of usermanaged assets to the second plurality of user managed assets anddetermines whether the communication devices are used by the same user.If Step 603 determines that the users are not the same, then the processwill stop at Step 604. If Step 603 determines that the users are thesame, then the process will go to Step 605. Step 605 then creates andsaves the user in a universal profile that includes both first device101 and second device 102.

FIG. 7 depicts a fourth embodiment of linking two different devicesowned by the same owner. Similar to FIG. 5, FIG. 7 includes first device101, second device 102, server 104 and table 105. FIG. 7 furtherincludes a 1^(st) use pattern 701 associated with first device 101 and a2^(nd) use pattern 702 associated with second device 102. Thecommunications between server 104, first device 101 and second device102 are via Internet, however, the use of the Internet is merelyexemplary and shall not be construed as limiting the invention in anymanner.

In this embodiment, instead of receiving user profiles on respectivedevices by server 104, server 104 receives 1^(st) use pattern 701 and2^(nd) use pattern 702. Examples of the use pattern include, but notlimited to, ways of using applications, order of using applications,duration of using applications. Again, server 104 may receive 1^(st) usepattern 701 and 2^(nd) use pattern 702 based on a request from server104, a periodic transmission by first device 101 and second device 102,or a triggering event on the part of first device 101 and second device102. Server 104 then makes a determination of whether the received usepatterns indicate a same user of first device 101 and second device 102.When a same user indeed owns both first device 101 and second device102, server 104 then determines whether there is a universal profile forthe user and creates or stores a universal profile for the user.

An example of FIG. 7 is that a user may have a habit of going through aseries of applications. Specifically, a user may first be playing NBAJAM on his iPhone when he is waiting for bus and as soon as he is doneplaying, he goes to ESPN ScoreCenter, again on his iPhone, to check thelive score of his favorite teams. At another instant, he may be watchingan NBA game on television and playing NBA JAM on his iPad, then as soonas he finishes playing NBA JAM on his iPad, he checks ESPN ScoreCenteron the very same device. Such unique pattern of use could effectively beused to identify people on an individual level. The recording of usepattern need not be so specific to the application level. It could be ona level of the type of application. Using the same example, instead ofidentifying the user playing NBA JAM on his iPhone, he could beidentified as playing a sports game, or even to a higher level, playinga game. Therefore, rather than connecting NBA JAM to ESPN ScoreCenter asthe user's use pattern, his device could just connect sports game toESPN ScoreCenter, sports game to broadcasting application, game to ESPNScoreCenter or game to broadcasting application.

FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart illustrating the steps of linking multipledevices together based on highly similar use patterns from the multipledevices. The process starts with step 801 by receiving from a firstcommunication device data corresponding to a first use pattern frominteraction by a user of a first communication device with the firstcommunication device. Step 802 receives from a second communicationdevice data corresponding to a second use pattern from interaction by auser of a second communication device with the second communicationdevice. Step 803 compares the first use pattern to the second usepattern and determines whether the communication devices are used by thesame user. If Step 803 determines that the users are not the same, thenthe process will stop at Step 804. If Step 803 determines that the usersare the same, then the process will go to Step 805. Step 805 thencreates and saves the user in a universal profile that includes bothfirst device 101 and second device 102.

FIG. 9 depicts a fifth embodiment of linking two different devices ownedby the same owner. Similar to FIG. 7, FIG. 9 includes first device 101,second device 102, server 104 and table 105. FIG. 9 further includes asponsor database 108 and behavioral data 901 associated with firstdevice 101 and location info 902 associated with second device 102. Thecommunications between server 104, first device 101 and second device102 are via the Internet, however, the use of the Internet is merelyexemplary and shall not be construed as limiting the invention in anymanner. Additionally, the server 104 and sponsor database 108 may becentrally located or geographically dispersed, locally and/or remotelyinterconnected, and may be integrated into a combined system. In thisembodiment, instead of receiving use patterns on respective devices byserver 104, server 104 receives behavioral data 901 and location info902 from first device 101 and second device 102, respectively. Examplesof the behavioral data include, but not limited to, locationinformation, duration at each location, potential commercial activity inthe location and actual commercial activity in the location. Again,server 104 may receive behavioral data 901 and location info 902 basedon a request from server 104, a periodic transmission by first device101 and second device 102, or a triggering event on the part of firstdevice 101 and second device 102. Server 104 then makes a determinationof whether the received behavioral data from first device 101 correlateswith the location info from second device 102 and decides if a same useris using both first device 101 and second device 102. When a same userindeed owns both first device 101 and second device 102, server 104 thenworks with sponsor database 108 to push a sponsored content to seconddevice 102.

An example of FIG. 9 is that a user owns first device 101 or an iPhoneand walks around using the iPhone as his personal assistant to findrestaurants and other places to go. He finds a coffee shop in the areaand continues to visit the coffee shop at least 3 times a week onweekdays. He purchases the same or similar items with his iPhone at thecoffee shop. Such behavioral information is recorded by server 104 intable 105 and a universal profile is created for the user if it has notalready been created. On a particular weekend, he decides to bring hisiPad or second device 102, with or without his iPhone, to the coffeeshop. Because his location information, derived from his iPad, revealedthat he is visiting the coffee shop, server 104 can identify thisseemingly new customer to be the same customer who uses the iPhone andvisits on a regular basis. As server 104 recognizes such a match betweenhis recorded behavior and his current location information, server 104can easily identify the user. Furthermore, to effectively identify theuser, server 104 may record the routes the user takes prior and afterthe user's visit to the coffee shop to provide a higher correlation. Forexample, knowing that the user almost always goes to the gym beforeheading to the coffee shop can more accurately identify the user whenthe user is not carrying the same device. Further, server 104 need notwait until the user enters the coffee shop to make a correlation;instead, server 104 could make such correlation as soon as the user iswithin 200 feet of the coffee shop or heading in the direction of thecoffee shop.

FIG. 10 depicts a flowchart illustrating the steps of linking multipledevices together based on highly similar behavioral data from themultiple devices. The process starts with step 1001 by receiving datacorresponding to a first communication device accessed by the user,receiving user behavior data corresponding to behavior of the user asderived from use of the first communication device by the user andcreating a universal profile for both received information, ifnecessary. Step 1002 receives location information relating to theuser's current location from a second communication device accessed bythe user. Step 1003 compares the location information to the userbehavior data in the universal profile and determines whether or not thetwo are relevant. If Step 1003 determines that the information is notrelevant, then the process will stop at Step 1004. If Step 1003determines that the information is relevant, then the process will go toStep 1005. Step 1005 then saves the second device in the universalprofile and coordinates with the sponsored database to push foradvertisements.

It is to be understood that a universal profile, after its creation, mayhave dynamic properties attached thereto, as the universal profile maybe updated to add or delete further correlations between data, devices,etc. Additionally, the universal profile, or data therein, may betemporal and given set expirations at which time the universalprofile/data would no longer be considered valid (e.g., if the systembecomes aware that a user discards devices on a frequent basis).Likewise, it is contemplated that the system can check for and accountfor invalid and/or inconsistent data within the universal profile.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a key activity for anadvertising network is to identify match keys for the same user acrosswired web, mobile web, and mobile application traffic. This enables anadvertising network to collapse a profile for a user and create auniversal profile. PC-online and offline data suppliers link users tocookies online via anonymous Personally Identifiable Information (PII),known as match keys or “join points.” The process entails linkingelements such as a name, address, email address or phone number to anidentifying “number” on both sides of the transaction, linking a log-inon a mobile website or application with the data suppliers' profile datafor that user.

An advertising network may build an audience database of match keys thatlinks users in PC-online and mobile. Match key suppliers enable anadvertising network to set its mobile ID (based on hardware ID, headerID, or cookie) and connect that ID with the match key supplier'sanonymous PII ID in PC-online. Once the advertising network has thePC-online PII ID, it can look up that user's user profile data from adata source or company.

An advertising network ID is set when a user logs into a publisher orapplication (a “matchkey provider” (MKP)). The user is recognized whenthe application sends the advertising network the hardware ID. Theadvertising network may see an ID in the header, or a publisher attachesa pixel associated with the advertising network that enables a cookie tobe served. The matchkey is provided by the MKP passing either obfuscatedor encrypted PII (oPII), typically name, address, email, and zip code;or a consistent cross-channel user identifier, typically a login ID orinternal user ID; or an MKP ID, which is user ID that is pre-processedto match with the data sources. Use of cookie reflection or 302/303redirects, as is known in the art, may be used to effectuatecommunication of a device with the advertising network.

To acquire data, the advertising network connects with the datasuppliers with the oPII or matches MKP ID with online MKP ID to receivethe matching segments. For example these segments may be “student,”“male,” “25 years old,” and “luxury shopper.”

Used in combination with cookies and match keys, a pixel tag is usuallya transparent graphic image, usually no larger than one pixel by onepixel, placed on a webpage or in an email. It is used to monitor thebehavior of the user visiting the webpage or sending the e-mail. Whenthe HTML code for the pixel tag points to a site to retrieve the image,it can simultaneously pass along information, such as the IP address ofthe computer that retrieved the image, the type of browser thatretrieved the image, and previously set cookie values. Pixel tags aretypically used by a third-party to monitor the activity of a site. Apixel tag can be detected by viewing the source code of a webpage andlooking for any that load from a different server than the rest of thesite. Turning off the browser's cookies will prevent pixel tags fromtracking the user's activity. The pixel tag will still account for ananonymous visit, but the user's unique information will not be recorded.

An advertising network may uniquely identify a user by creating a hashed(e.g., anonymized) email address upon noticing the user the first time.The advertising network matches the user to his email address and thenhashes the email address.

Once a user is tagged via a unique ID, advertisers can know what theuser is interested in, whether the advertiser has targeted the userbefore, and which specific ads the user has already viewed. Anadvertiser is provided with a list of user IDs. The advertiser'sattributes and sharing restrictions are applied to the data. Thisenables the advertiser to both positively and negatively target userswhen they are encountered in a network or on an exchange.

Should the user access a webpage or application from a device he hasnever previously used, he may be identified via a match key. Forexample, a user has accessed movie times from his smartphone and isuniquely identified by one of the aforementioned methods. The user thenuses his brand new tablet to purchase tickets. Because he is using adevice that has never before been used, an advertising network will notbe able to recognize him by his previously assigned unique ID. However,when he logs into a webpage or application using his email and passwordto purchase tickets, the webpage or application can recognize the userby the match key associated with his log in, and assimilate the matchkey with the user's unique ID. Now the user may be identified on the newdevice by the same ID associated with him via his smartphone.

Should the user in the above example not log into a webpage orapplication on a brand new device, he may be identified instead by userbehavior and location.

When a user is uniquely identified via the use of one device, the usercan be identified via the unique ID upon the user's use of a seconddevice. For example, a user accesses an application from his smartphoneto check movie times and is uniquely identified. When the user lateruses his tablet to check the news, his previously assigned unique IDtriggers advertisements for recently released movies. When he turns onhis television and accesses an application to check the weather, theadvertisements associated with the weather information will be for localmovie theatres or links to purchase tickets.

The cross-screen platform described herein may federate a singleidentity or profile across all screens. If the same ID is passed to thecross-screen platform across all screens, all profile information may befederated.

An advertising network may operate a data facility containing mobilesubscriber characteristics pertaining to individual users of a mobilecommunication facility. This data may include, but is not limited to,data collected by the wireless provider when an individual opens awireless account, such as age, sex, race, religion, area code, homeaddress, work address, billing address, credit card information,passwords, family information (e.g., mother's maiden name), birthplace,driver's license number, employer, position, annual income, incomebracket, items purchased, friends and family information (including anyof the foregoing types of information) and the like. The mobilesubscriber characteristics facility may continually, or periodically,update data for individual users, for example, bill amount(s), averagebill total, payment history, on-time payment history, on-line usageamount, duration of on-line interactions, number of on-lineinteractions, family status and family information, number of children,shopping habits (e.g., views of or purchases of goods and services),click stream information, device type and device version, devicecharacteristics, usage patterns (including those based on location, timeof day, or other variables), device and/or subscriber uniqueidentifiers, content viewing history, content presented for viewedby/not viewed by user, content and programs downloaded, videos, music,and audio listened to and/or downloaded, television watched, timing andduration of viewing/downloading, transaction history, and any other useror user-defined characteristics. The purchase of physical goods may befacilitated by a wireless provider by having the wireless providercollect the user's credit card information as part of the billing cycleand adding goods transactions automatically to the wireless provider'sbill to the user.

The mobile subscriber characteristics database may also track datarelated to phone usage and location. For example, data collected couldinclude a history of phone calls made, phone calls received, the mobilesubscriber characteristics of the persons calling or called by the user,the duration of calls, a history of communications made via phone,Internet, email, instant messaging, or chat (and the entitiescommunicated with by these technologies), history of phone calls madelinked with geographic/location information at the time of each call,log of phone numbers, and a history of clicks and clickthroughs (orother keystroke or user interface equivalents thereof, includingvoice-initiated actions) made using the mobile communication facility.

The device characteristics associated with a mobile communicationfacility as described herein, may be recorded and stored within aseparate database. The device characteristics database may be furtherassociated with other elements of the wireless platform including, butnot limited to a wireless provider, contextual information database,mobile subscriber characteristics database, user transaction database,usage history database, location database, sponsor data, advertiserdata, carrier business rules database, content walled garden database, alocator facility, the Internet, third party server and an associateddatabase, or some other wireless communication facility.

User transactions associated with a mobile communication facility may berecorded and stored within a separate database. The user transactiondatabase may include, but is not limited to, an online purchase, anoffline purchase, an advertisement conversion, a coupon redemption,content interaction, a transfer of funds from a bank account, a transferof funds from a PayPal, BillPay, or similar online banking account, anitem placement in an online shopping cart, a stage at which anincomplete item purchase was terminated, a ratio of item views to itempurchases associated with the mobile communication facility, or someother data related to a transaction.

A transaction may be an economic transaction or a non-economictransaction. A non-economic transaction may include, but is not limitedto, completing an enrollment, completing a survey, joining a group,subscribing to a free RSS feed, or some other type of non-economictransaction. The user transactions may also be associated with otherelements of the wireless platform including, but not limited to awireless provider, contextual information database, mobile subscribercharacteristics database, device characteristics database, usage historydatabase, location database, sponsor data, advertiser data, carrierbusiness rules database, content walled garden database, a locatorfacility, the Internet, third party server, and an associated databaseor some other wireless communication facility.

Usage history associated with a mobile communication facility may alsobe recorded and stored within a separate database. Usage history mayinclude, but is not limited to, a browse history, URL's visited on themobile communication facility, an advertisement conversation, a textmessage sent, a text message received, an email sent, and emailreceived, an outgoing call, an incoming call, a call's duration, aconference call's participants, accessing a folder on the mobilecommunication facility, downloading a content, uploading a content, orsome other usage action, event, or history. The usage history may beassociated with other elements of the wireless platform as detailedabove.

Usage history associated with a mobile communication facility may berecorded and stored within a separate database. In addition to otherexamples provided, the location may be a previous location; a currentlocation; coordinates of a mobile communication facility; locationdetermined by GPS, triangulation, Wi-Fi triangulation, and the like;location determined by a user entering a region, a state, a city, or thelike; location determined according to a distance from a specifiedlocation, a location associated with a mobile content; and the like. Thelocation database may be further associated with other elements of thewireless platform as detailed above.

Contextual information associated with website and other contentaccessed using a mobile communication facility may also be recorded andstored within a separate database. Contextual information may be a linkstructure, an inbound link, an outbound link, a text, a keyword, keywordcombination, metadata, anchor text, or some other type of contextualinformation. The contextual information may be provided by a serverassociated with a wireless carrier. The server may be a WAP server, amobile application gateway, a WAP gateway, a proxy, a webserver, or someother type of server. The contextual information may be furtherassociated with other elements of the wireless platform as describedabove.

Behavioral retargeting, also known as behavioral remarketing, or simply,retargeting, is a form of online targeted advertising by which onlineadvertising is delivered to consumers based on previous Internetactions, often but not always actions that did not result in aconversion. A conversion is the action intended by the site owner,typically a user making a purchase.

Some companies specialize in retargeting. Other companies have addedretargeting to their list of methods of purchasing advertising.Retargeting helps companies advertise to website visitors who leavewithout a conversion, which is approximately 98% of all web traffic.Displaying ads to prospective consumers as they surf webpages andapplications via various advertising networks that the agency buys mediafrom on behalf of their business customers results in conversions.Retargeting is the delivery of advertisements to users who have shown atleast some amount of engagement in a given brand. This makes retargetinga smarter spend than most other display advertisement campaigns, as itfocuses on a specific brand's engaged user base. Most likely, a companyhas spent marketing dollars to get a customer to its site in the firstplace. Therefore, the term “retargeting” derives from the concept ofmarketing again, but in a different manner Search retargeting, a form ofbehavioral retargeting, can also be leveraged to drive new customersthat have not been to the site before because they are being retargetedbased on actions taken on a third-party website.

Studies suggest that a company needs to have an average of sevendifferent contacts with a customer before they make a purchase.Retargeting allows companies to continue the marketing conversation witha customer after they leave a website. This form of behavioral targetingis a growing trend in the online marketing arena.

Advertisers contribute data segments, find their users again in anetwork, and enable ad advertising delivery company to acquire thoseusers on exchanges. The advertising delivery company allows advertisersto achieve better results via audience that they can build directly(e.g., users who visit Ford's mobile site). In some cases, anadvertising delivery company allows advertisers to buy anotheradvertiser's audience. Advertisers can participate in retargeting via(i) exclusive access: only the advertiser targets against their ownaudience; (ii) shared non-competitive access: contributors allow theirdata to be used by non-competitive advertisers in exchange for access tothe segment data pool. For example, Fidelity can access “high net worthusers” as indicated by users visiting Lexus automotive pages; and (iii)shared and open access: All contributors can access all segments.

Personalized retargeting, a related practice, differs from behavioralretargeting as it allows an advertiser to display a banner createdon-the-fly for a particular consumer based on their specific browsingbehavior. For example, if a consumer visits an advertiser's website andbrowses products A, B, and C, they will then be retargeted with adisplay banner featuring the exact products A, B, and C that theypreviously viewed. Retargeting may span all devices or screens operatedby the same user, and may be referred to as cross-screen orcross-platform retargeting.

Location-based retargeting allows for an advertising network to target auser based on a previously-assigned unique ID and the current locationfrom which the unique ID is accessing information. For example, thisunit would take into account location and possibly time of the day orlocation history. If it was around lunch time, it would try to serve upmatches to possible lunch places. For instance, as one moves around, anon-screen compass of the advertisement would indicate how close one wasto the virtual ad billboard. If the user clicks on the ad billboard, abar code or quick response code would pop up that the user could use atthe restaurant when they walked in. The ad unit would refresh itselfevery so often with a new location.

An advertiser may want to positively target a particular user on aplurality of screens. A sports game application developer provides theadvertising network with IDs for users who have downloaded their sportsgames in the past. When the advertising network presents anadvertisement to those users, a new sports game from the developer isadvertised as those users are more likely to purchase another sportsgame.

An advertiser may want to negatively target a particular user on aplurality of screens. A search engine application provides theadvertising network with a list of IDs for users who have downloadedtheir application previously so that the advertising network does notshow those same users an ad for an application that they have alreadydownloaded. Determining which users have already completed the downloadon at least one device is also known as conversion tracking, orcross-platform conversion tracking

An advertiser may want to sequentially target a particular user on aplurality of screens. A dating application provides a list of IDs forusers who have downloaded an application, but have not yet upgraded tothe paid subscription. When the advertising network encounters thoseusers, a message to upgrade to the paid services may be presented.

An advertiser may want to stop targeting a particular user once the userID or the user's universal profile has appeared a number of times. Anadvertiser may determine how many times to target the user beforeceasing the delivery of its advertisements. This is known as frequencycapping. The advertiser may also limit the number of times to show anadvertisement to the same user based on the device the user isoperating. For example, an advertiser may want to show an ad to a userno more than five times. The advertiser may pre-determine that the adshould appear to the user twice on a tablet and three times on a mobilephone, or the advertiser may simply indicate that the ad should appearfive times regardless of which device the user is operating.

Retargeting may expand to brand recognition. An advertising network maytrack, via clicks or conversions, how users respond to a category orbrand on a particular platform. An advertising network may then indicateto its advertisers that, for example, users respond to automotive adsmore often on a tablet than on a mobile phone. The same conversions maybe tracked for a particular brand.

Metadata to customize advertisements will also add to the cross-screenexperience. For example, a webpage may ordinarily include metadataspecifying what language it is written in, what tools were used tocreate it, and where to go for more on the subject, allowing browsers toautomatically improve the experience of users. Combining metadata withthe cross-screen experience will work like a traditional advertisingcontent but involves customization. The goal is to capture the user'sattention when he is focused on another device. Using the accelerometerin a smartphone, a smartphone detects motion and causes the backgroundof an advertisement to ripple (e.g., ocean background, grass blowing inbreeze) and the text to move against it slightly while the user is at aPC. Simultaneously, the smartphone features an advertisement thatincludes a photo from the user's online album or an icon associated withthe user. The use-case in mind is to reach a user who might not havenoticed the advertisement while on the PC but caught the animation andcustomization before putting the phone away.

Technographics indicate how to best target consumers in a given area.Many companies approach social media as a list of technologies to bedeployed as needed to achieve a marketing goal. But a more coherentapproach is to start with the target audience and determine what kind ofrelationship a business wants to build with them, based on what they areready for. Technographics is the categorization of social computingbehaviors into a ladder with six levels of participation. It describes apopulation according to its participation in these levels. Brands,webpages, and any other companies pursuing social technologies mayanalyze their customers' social technographics first and then create asocial strategy based on this profile. For example, if a particularregion of Maine has a high tablet use and southern Florida has marginaltablet traffic, advertisers who want to target the tablet users may wantto show advertisements for cold-weather related living as opposed tobeach living.

As advertisements appear across a plurality of devices, there is agrowing need for improved methods of paying for these advertisements. Asmart pricing strategy for advertisers encompasses a smart pricingsystem that presents a platform for bidding in real time, wherein theplatform offers competitive bidding for advertising space on a multitudeof devices. The devices include, but are not limited to, smartphones,mobile phones, tablet devices, PCs, gaming devices, and televisions.

Bids offered by a publisher without a background of information with theadvertising network may be placed automatically. Since no priorinformation exists, an advertising network cannot determine the correctvalue of the impression. However, a network may use several methods tounderstand the bid landscape and generate enough bids until adistribution can be created. For example, when there is a new site thatthe advertising network has no information about, it may place bidsusing information from a similar publisher, site, or user information.The advertising network may consider reducing the margin so that theadvertising network has a better probability of winning bids. If no winresults, the advertising network doubles the bid until a win occurs. Thereason to double the bid here is to understand if a particular site hasa higher reserved price. The advertising network will need to analyzethis situation so that it can find the right advertisers for the site.If it appears that there is a relatively high reserve price, compared towhat the current candidate advertisers are willing to pay, theadvertising network may then adjust the pricing. Since this is a newdata point, other advertising networks or exchanges will not haveinformation or incentive to jam the bid at the upper bound of the bidprice. However, if the advertising network is winning every time withless than 10% difference between the winning bid and the second price,it should consider reducing the bid by 10% to make sure that there is nogaming of bid price.

The advertising network may generate floating floors for a reserveprice. A reserve price prevents advertisers from bidding under a setfinancial consideration for certain inventory. The financialconsideration may be a flat fee, a fixed amount, variable amount,impression-based (e.g., cost per thousand impression, or CPM),cost-per-click (CPC), cost-per-action (CPA), cost-per-engagement (CPE),time-based, based on a shared revenue of user transactions, shared witha wireless operator whose data is being accessed, shared with apublisher, shared with an ad network, or otherwise arranged.

An advertising network may prevent high quality advertisers from biddingon low quality inventory that require low financial considerations. Theadvertising network could improve the algorithm as it learns more aboutthe data over time. In cost-per-impression campaigns, a bid could beequivalent to what an advertiser is willing to pay, minus the margin.

Other strategies for an advertising network for advertising pricinginclude autonomic, or adaptive bidding. Bidding the true valuation ofthe impression is the dominant strategy. At a high level, themethodology is to assign the highest bid to the impression. However,market dynamics will have to be countered to explore the bid landscape.

Autonomic bidding may use historical information and explore bidlandscape. Conversely, autonomic bidding may exploit current bids as is,keep historical win bids to learn the bid landscape, and explorereducing bids. It may also ensure that either competitors or theadvertising exchanges are not increasing the bids themselves.

Autonomic bidding may explore a bid landscape. It may vary bids tounderstand if there is any interaction with other advertising networksor if advertising networks can dominate an arbitrage opportunity. Arandomly assigned reserve price selected from a distribution of reserveprices helps prevent other advertising networks from exploiting arival's reserve prices. Autonomic bidding may decide when to maintainthe bid and when to increase or decrease.

Another aspect of autonomic bidding is inventory selection. This biddingstrategy may select the right inventory in order not to provide theadvertising exchange the ability to manipulate impression calls to theadvertising network.

Advertising exchanges send a selective call for bids when an impressionarrives. Advertising networks compute the value of the impression andreturn a bid. Sophisticating advertising exchanges allow comparison ofsimilar inventory sent to advertising networks and comparison of the bidprice in real time bidding. Two scenarios exist here. First, when anadvertising network always wins in real time bidding with a bid price,it wins and pays the second highest bid. In real time bidding, theadvertising network only pays the second price, which would be less thanthe price paid if sold in its own bidding system. The advertisingexchange can increase revenue by diverting more traffic to its ownsystem instead of real time bidding for the same inventory.

When the advertising network loses in real time bidding, the winner paysat least as much as the advertising network was willing to pay, or moreif the advertising network is not the second highest bid. In its ownsystem, the advertising network shares all the revenue, which is lessthan what the exchange can earn in the real time auction. Theadvertising exchange can increase revenue by diverting more traffic toreal time bidding instead of its own system for the same inventory.

The real time bidding strategies also exist for advertisers. Advertisersmay strike a balance between network bidding and real time bidding.

In bidding, advertising networks may plan for an inventory hold out.Although there is a randomization step that occurs in the yieldoptimization algorithm, if there is a consistent winner for everyauction, up to 80% of the time, this winner will be chosen. This methodwill result in exhausting the budget of this winner and, later in theday if there are impressions that require higher bids, the advertisingnetwork may not have any parties to bid.

The methods and systems described herein may be deployed in part or inwhole through a machine that executes computer software program codes,and/or instructions on one or more processors. The one or moreprocessors may be part of a server, client, network infrastructure,mobile computing platform, stationary computing platform, cloudcomputing, or other computing platform. The processor(s) may becommunicatively connected to the Internet or any other distributedcommunications network via a wired or wireless interface. Theprocessor(s) may be any kind of computational or processing devicecapable of executing program instructions, codes, binary instructionsand the like. The processor(s) may be or include a signal processor,digital processor, embedded processor, microprocessor or any variantsuch as a co-processor (math co-processor, graphic co-processor,communication co-processor and the like) and the like that may directlyor indirectly facilitate execution of program code or programinstructions stored thereon. In addition, the processor(s) may enableexecution of multiple programs, threads, and codes. The threads may beexecuted simultaneously to enhance the performance of the processor(s)and to facilitate simultaneous operations of the application. Theprocessor(s) may include memory that stores methods, codes, instructionsand programs as described herein and elsewhere. The processor(s) mayaccess a storage medium through an interface that may store methods,codes, and instructions as described herein and elsewhere. The storagemedium associated with the processor(s) for storing methods, programs,codes, program instructions or other type of instructions capable ofbeing executed by the computing or processing device may include but maynot be limited to one or more of a CD-ROM, DVD, memory, hard disk, flashdrive, RAM, ROM, cache and the like.

The methods and/or processes described above, and steps thereof, may berealized in hardware, software or any combination of hardware andsoftware suitable for a particular application. The hardware may includea general purpose computer and/or dedicated computing device or specificcomputing device or particular aspect or component of a specificcomputing device. The processes may be realized in one or moremicroprocessors, microcontrollers, embedded microcontrollers,programmable digital signal processors or other programmable device,along with internal and/or external memory. The processes may also, orinstead, be embodied in an application specific integrated circuit, aprogrammable gate array, programmable array logic, or any other deviceor combination of devices that may be configured to process electronicsignals. It will further be appreciated that one or more of theprocesses may be realized as a computer executable code capable of beingexecuted on a machine readable medium.

The computer executable code may be created using a structuredprogramming language such as C, an object-oriented programming languagesuch as C++, or any other high-level or low-level programming language(including assembly languages, hardware description languages, anddatabase programming languages and technologies) that may be stored,compiled or interpreted to run on one of the above devices, as well asheterogeneous combinations of processors, processor architectures, orcombinations of different hardware and software, or any other machinecapable of executing program instructions.

Thus, in one aspect, each method described above and combinationsthereof may be embodied in computer executable code that, when executingon one or more computing devices, performs the steps thereof. In anotheraspect, the methods may be embodied in systems that perform the stepsthereof, and may be distributed across devices in a number of ways, orall of the functionality may be integrated into a dedicated, standalonedevice or other hardware. In another aspect, the means for performingthe steps associated with the processes described above may include anyof the hardware and/or software described above. All such permutationsand combinations are intended to fall within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

Further, although process steps, method steps, algorithms or the likemay be described in a sequential order, such processes, methods andalgorithms may be configured to work in alternate orders. In otherwords, any sequence or order of steps that may be described in thispatent application does not, in and of itself, indicate a requirementthat the steps be performed in that order. The steps of processesdescribed herein may be performed in any order practical. Further, somesteps may be performed simultaneously despite being described or impliedas occurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is describedafter the other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by itsdepiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated process isexclusive of other variations and modifications thereto, does not implythat the illustrated process or any of its steps are necessary to theinvention, and does not imply that the illustrated process is preferred.

It will be readily apparent that the various methods and algorithmsdescribed herein may be implemented by, e.g., appropriately programmedgeneral purpose computers and computing devices. Typically a processor(e.g., a microprocessor) will receive instructions from a memory or likedevice, and execute those instructions, thereby performing a processdefined by those instructions. Further, programs that implement suchmethods and algorithms may be stored and transmitted using a variety ofknown media. When a single device or article is described herein, itwill be readily apparent that more than one device/article (whether ornot they cooperate) may be used in place of a single device/article.Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein(whether or not they cooperate), it will be readily apparent that asingle device/article may be used in place of the more than one deviceor article. The functionality and/or the features of a device may bealternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are notexplicitly described as having such functionality/features. Thus, otherembodiments of the present invention need not include the device itself.

The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any mediumthat participates in providing data (e.g., instructions) that may beread by a computer, a processor or a like device. Such a medium may takemany forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatilemedia, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example,optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile mediainclude dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which typically constitutesthe main memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wireand fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a system bus coupledto the processor. Transmission media may include or convey acousticwaves, light waves and electromagnetic emissions, such as thosegenerated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) datacommunications. Common forms of computer-readable media include, forexample, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, anyother magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punchcards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, aRAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip orcartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other mediumfrom which a computer can read. Various forms of computer readable mediamay be involved in carrying sequences of instructions to a processor.For example, sequences of instruction (i) may be delivered from RAM to aprocessor, (ii) may be carried over a wireless transmission medium,and/or (iii) may be formatted according to numerous formats, standardsor protocols, such as Bluetooth, TDMA, CDMA, 3G, LTE, WiMax. Anon-transitory computer-readable medium includes all computer-readablemedium as is currently known or will be known in the art, includingregister memory, processor cache, and RAM (and all iterations andvariants thereof), with the sole exception being a transitory,propagating signal.

Where databases are described, it will be understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art that (i) alternative database structures to thosedescribed may be readily employed, and (ii) other memory structuresbesides databases may be readily employed. Any schematic illustrationsand accompanying descriptions of any sample databases presented hereinare illustrative arrangements for stored representations of information.Any number of other arrangements may be employed besides those suggestedby the tables shown. Similarly, any illustrated entries of the databasesrepresent exemplary information only; those skilled in the art willunderstand that the number and content of the entries can be differentfrom those illustrated herein. Further, despite any depiction of thedatabases as tables, other formats (including relational databases,object-based models and/or distributed databases) could be used to storeand manipulate the data types described herein. Likewise, object methodsor behaviors of a database can be used to implement the processes of thepresent invention. In addition, the described databases may, in a knownmanner, be stored locally or remotely from a device that accesses datain such a database.

Numerous embodiments are described in this patent application, and arepresented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments arenot intended to be limiting in any sense. The invention is widelyapplicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from thedisclosure herein. Those skilled in the art will recognize that thepresent invention may be practiced with various modifications andalterations. Although particular features of the present invention maybe described with reference to one or more particular embodiments orfigures, it should be understood that such features are not limited tousage in the one or more particular embodiments or figures withreference to which they are described.

In the foregoing description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings that form a part of the present disclosure, and in which areshown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments of the invention.These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable thoseskilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understoodthat other embodiments may be utilized and that structural, logical,software, electrical and other changes may be made without departingfrom the scope of the present invention. The present disclosure is,therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. The present disclosureis neither a literal description of all embodiments of the invention nora listing of features of the invention that must be present in allembodiments.

Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose ofillustration based on what is currently considered to be the mostpractical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that suchdetail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limitedto the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to covermodifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit andscope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood thatthe present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one ormore features of any embodiment can be combined with one or morefeatures of any other embodiment.

What is claimed:
 1. A system for identifying a same user of multiplecommunication devices, the system comprising one or more computershaving computer readable mediums having stored thereon instructionswhich, when executed by one or more processors of the one or morecomputers, causes the system to perform the steps of: (a) receivingfirst data corresponding to (i) a location of a first communicationdevice operated by a user and (ii) a time of day at which the firstcommunication device is situated at the location; (b) receiving seconddata corresponding to (i) a location of a second communication deviceoperated by a user and (ii) a time of day at which the secondcommunication device is situated at the location; (c) determining thatthe user of the first communication device is the user of the secondcommunication device based on receiving the first and second data apredetermined number of times; (d) determining that a pre-existinguniversal profile has not been created to identify that the first andsecond communication devices are used by the same user; and (e) creatinga universal profile for the user containing data corresponding to thefirst and second communication devices.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the universal profile includes at least one of: (a) a paymentand billing history associated with the user; (b) a duration of onlineinteractions by the user associated with his respective communicationdevices; (c) a number of online interactions by the user via hisrespective communication devices; (d) a usage pattern of the respectivecommunication devices dependent on location or time of day use thereof;(e) a type of content accessed by the user via his respectivecommunication devices; (f) previous search queries entered by the uservia his respective communication devices; (g) shopping habits associatedwith the user; (h) videos, music, or audio listened to or downloaded bythe user; (i) previous geographies associated with the user; and (j)webpages visited or applications used by the user via his respectivecommunication devices.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the shoppinghabits are at least one of: (a) products viewed or purchased on one ofthe first and second communication devices; (b) purchase amounts of theproducts purchased on one of the first and second communication devices;(c) purchase dates of the products purchased on one of the first andsecond communication devices; and (d) elapsed time between a productviewing and a product purchase on one of the first and secondcommunication devices.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the system isfurther configured to perform the steps of: (a) selecting a sponsoredcontent based on a relevancy thereof with the universal profile; and (b)transmitting the sponsored content to the second communication devicefor display thereon.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the selection ofthe sponsored content is based at least on: (a) frequency capping; (b)cross-platform conversion tracking; (c) retargeted advertisements; (d)cross-platform retargeted advertisements; or (e) brand-impact data. 6.The system of claim 4, wherein the relevancy is further based on a usercharacteristic datum associated with the user.
 7. The system of claim 6,wherein the user characteristic datum is selected from the listconsisting of: (a) age, age-range, or birthdate; (b) gender; (c) race;(d) religion; (e) marital status; (f) area code of the phone numberassigned to one of the first and second communication devices; (g) zipcode; (h) home address; (i) work address; (j) billing address; (k) typeof credit card used to pay a carrier providing service to the respectivecommunication devices; (l) birthplace; (m) employer; (n) employmentposition; (o) income bracket of the user; (p) model of one of the firstand second communication devices; and (q) operating system of one of thefirst and second the communication devices.
 8. The system of claim 1,wherein the first and second communication devices are one of: (a) acellular phone; (b) a tablet; (c) a portable media player; (d) a laptopor notebook computer; (e) a television; (f) a cable box; and (g) apersonal computer.